In an impressive showcase of remote robotics and virtual reality, Chinese company Shenzhen Dobot has demonstrated its humanoid robot, Dobot Atom, preparing a steak while being controlled from 1,800km away.
The feat, captured in a four-minute video shared on Dobot’s WeChat, combined VR control with high-precision robotics to replicate human movements across vast distance.
The long-distance chef
The demonstration featured an engineer in Guangdong province wearing a VR headset and controllers, directing the actions of Dobot Atom stationed in Shandong — a full 1,800km apart. The robot performed surprisingly delicate tasks: patting the steak dry, drizzling oil, flipping the meat, and even sprinkling salt with precision.
What makes Dobot Atom remarkable?
Launched in March, Dobot Atom is a humanoid robot capable of ultra-precise hand movements — accurate to 0.05mm. Currently, only its upper body can be operated remotely, but the company says it is already shipping the model internationally, with Japan among the first to receive units. Dobot is also among the few Chinese companies to scale up mass production of such advanced humanoid robots.
Beyond steak: what else can it do?
The robot isn’t just a long-distance cook. It can walk upright, arrange breakfast plates with toast, lettuce, and fruit, pour milk, and more. Social media users have been quick to note its potential beyond the kitchen — in industries like hospitality, healthcare, and construction.
This demonstration highlights how VR and robotics could redefine remote work, with machines serving as our hands thousands of kilometers away.